A special day that marked a new beginning for what God was doing in the world. Pentecost was the day when God overflowed the cups of the disciples. In this message Pastor Derrick opens up two words from the original language. Listen and learn what it means to receive this gift of the spirit.
Category: Messages (Page 20 of 41)
The other night I was watching a little television to clear my head. There is generally not a lot good on the tv but one of those game shows popped on that caught my interest. It was a game called Genius Junior. The gist of the game was simple young people generally middle school-aged would solve nearly impossible problems in ridiculously short amounts of time. The math questions were the most startling! Continue reading
Have you ever wondered what Jesus would pray for his church? If Jesus could offer one prayer for his followers what would it be? We have this recorded in John 17. It’s a part of the Bible called the High Priestly Prayer. This week Pastor Derrick unpacks the truths found in this chapter and the one thing for which Jesus prays for his church. Our one takeaway truth this week was:
The One that unites us is greater than the things that try to divide us.
This week in our message at Living Word Galena we looked at an account in the bible from the book of Acts. It’s the time known as the ascension. This is the account of Jesus being taken up into heaven. You can find the whole story here, but here’s a quick summary. Continue reading
Before Jesus was taken up into heaven the disciples asked a question that indicated they still didn’t quite get it. They asked about themselves. They asked when Jesus would make them great again. Instead of telling them how wrong they were, Jesus led them to a deeper understanding of why they were here in the first place. Listen as Pastor Derrick shares some truths about where our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the end of the world are.
In Jerusalem we’re called to share the Jesus we know with those who know Jesus.
In Judea we’re called to share the difference Jesus makes with those for whom Jesus wants to make a difference.
In Samaria we are to share the love of Jesus even with the unloveable.
And at times we’re called to go to the end of the world. While we’re there we’re supposed to share Jesus wherever we go with the people for whom Jesus went.
You will be a witness! The question is how intentionally will you make that happen?
Have you ever had one of those communication breakdown moments? The type where you say one thing and the other person hears something totally different? This week Pastor Derrick shares a little insight into one of the biggest moments of talking past one another ever recorded!
- Jesus calls Peter by his original name – Simon son of John.
- Jesus’ question and Peter’s answer
- Agape – love me with all your heart, soul, mind and strength
- Phileo – love like a brother or friend.
- Jesus changes words.
- NO matter what our response, Jesus still calls us to follow, feed and be faithful.
There are two words hidden in this next appearance of Jesus. He’s appeared to the men on the road to Emmaus and to Mary at the entrance to the tomb. In today’s bible lesson from Luke 24, Jesus appears to the disciples while they are locked in their home. But what message would Jesus bring to his closest followers?
Listen as Pastor Derrick shares the two words that Jesus spoke that just changed everything for them. Pastor Derrick uses the vowels in the English language to help us remember how powerful Jesus really was and what his physical appearance meant to the disciples and us.
A – Always – there never is a time when Jesus is not. He is a God who was, is and always will be.
E – Existence – it’s hard to argue with Jesus when he’s standing in front of them telling them ‘I AM’ and showing them his hands a feet.
I – Identity – When Jesus spoke the words ‘I AM’ he was linking his message to the teachings of the Old Testament. He was reminding them of God’s words to Moses from the burning bush in Exodus 3 when he said, “I am who I am.”
O – Objective – when Jesus showed them his hands and feet and when he ate a meal with them he was providing them an objective reality that he is alive. It’s not something they could argue with.
U – Unchanging – Jesus proves to His disciples that he is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. And that not even death can change his love for his followers.
Y – YOU – the reality is all of this comes to a head in his love for YOU. Jesus is for you and he is with you in all you do.
We go through life with such laziness sometimes. This week we meet two men who followed Jesus for much of his ministry. Even when they meet Jesus face to face, they were so distraught by the pressures of the world that they couldn’t see him. As they walked with Jesus, he taught them about the Old Testament. He showed them how each of the Old Testament promises found their way to his birth, life, death and resurrection. Listen as Pastor Derrick shares this message about hearts on fire.
There’s something comforting about a familiar voice. You know when you’re having a rough day and you get that call from someone you know cares for you. It’s that voice that makes things just seem a little better. Well, Mary was in a rough way and needed the comfort of a familiar and loving voice. She was in such a bad place emotionally however that she couldn’t hear this voice even when it was spoken. This week Pastor Derrick helps us wrestle with the idea of voices vying for our attention. Give this week’s message a listen and then head over to read this article, Whisper, that might help you find the voice in the chaos of life.
The best word in the entire language is “nothing.” Listen this week as Pastor Derrick shares the power of nothing. This Easter our prayer for you is that you realize that “nothing” matters.